ADA Compliance for Public Restrooms

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We are fortunate to be living in an era of more inclusion in American society than can be said about most of history. It didn't, though, come solely through the independent benevolence of citizens. Sometimes a society's progress must be spurred on by legislative means. When it came to more fully welcoming into the fold those who are differently abled, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990.

The ADA mandates that spaces and amenities deemed for "public use" must be, within reason, functional for all. As such, it behooves the proprietors of these public spaces to consider ADA compliance when purchasing furniture, appliances, and fixtures. Appliances Connection carries everything you need to comply with ADA requirements. In this installment, we will focus on the public restroom.

Restrooms serve people's most basic needs. Thus, they are the spaces most stringently overseen by the ADA. The first aspect to keep in mind is the restroom entrance and accessibility. Entrance doorways must be at least 36" wide. Door knobs/handles must be between 34" - 48" above the floor and able to be opened with a closed fist with less than 5 lbs of force. There must be at least a 36" clearance between all fixtures. Here are just some of the fixtures we have to offer to make sure your restroom adheres to the ADA.

In an ADA bathroom/stall, there must be at least a 30" x 38" clear space provided to accommodate a single wheelchair. At least a 60" diameter is required for a single wheelchair to make a complete 180-degree turn. The toilet seat must be at a height of between 17" to 19" above the finished floor. A lever or button for flush control can be mounted no higher than 44" above the finished floor.

Eago TB377 - This one-piece single flush piece in porcelain will look great in an elegantly appointed public restroom. The soft closing toilet seat and lid prevents rough treatment. Its powerful flushing valve ensures you won't have to be dealing with clogs on a regular basis.

TOTO CT708EVG01 - TOTO is an industry leader in commercial bathroom fixtures. With high-efficiency Eco-Power flush valves, this toilet features low water consumption and siphon jet action. Even better than WaterSense, it conforms to the California Green Buildings Standards Code.

American Standard 2922A104020 - This toilet will help you maintain even the most frequently used restroom. The VorMax siphon action vigorously rinses the bowl with every flush. Used together with the CleanCurve Rim and EverClean Surface, the toilet will remain cleaner, longer.

A grab bar is required in every ADA compliant restroom and/or stall. The bar must contain round edges to prevent any severe impact injury. The pipe diameter must be between 1.25" and 1.5" and it must be installed between 34" and 38" off the ground.

TOTO YG30036RCP - Minimalist design on this grab bar will make it fit in with any bathroom style, modest or sophisticated. TOTO's reputation for quality ensures this will stand up to the most robust use.

Almost any wall-hanging sink without a vanity can be made to be ADA compliant. It just needs to be mounted no higher than 34" from the floor, have a knee clearance of 27", be 30" wide, and 11" - 25" deep. There must not be any exposed pipes to block the movement of a wheelchair.

Faucets, on the other hand, need to be specifically manufactured to comply with ADA requirements. They have to be operable with a single closed fist applying no more than 5 lbs of force.

Hansgrohe 31101001 - The sensitive infrared electronic hand wash system will make it easy for any of your customers/employees to use this faucet. With the pre-set temperature control, there's no need for spigot knobs giving the setup a clean look. Its flow rate is 1.5 GPM, making it extremely efficient and cost effective.

Moen 8416 - Stylish curves on this faucet will give your restroom a distinctive look. The lustrous chrome stands out even in dim ambient light. Unlike other single lever faucets, the embedded hot/cold inlays take the guesswork out of temperature adjustment.

Vigo VG03003ARB2 - Reminiscent of a bamboo water pump, this faucet lends a simple, glamorous touch to a restroom. The solid brass construction is finished in antique rubbed bronze which resists corrosion and tarnishing. Each piece's water pressure is tested to certify it meets industry standards.

Watch this space for further installments of our ADA Compliance series. Appliances Connection will let you know how you can make sure more spaces in your place of business adhere to the law and are welcoming to all your customers/employees.